DEVELOPING HYBRID KIDNEY CARE MODELS WITH FACILITATED MODELLING

This paper presents a simulation modelling study aimed at supporting capacity planning of kidney replacement therapy services offered to patients at different stages of kidney failure. The model consists of a combined discrete-event simulation (DES) and system dynamics (SD) model, representing two different aspects of kidney care. The SD model represents the demand for kidney care by modelling disease progression in patients over time, whereas the DES models the provision of care including kidney transplantation and different types of dialysis offered either in hospital or at home. A facilitated modelling approach is adopted to engage with a range of stakeholders representing kidney care services to ensure the development of a relevant and representative model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first facilitated modelling study of a combined (hybrid) simulation presented in the literature. We present the approach, followed by reflections and future work.